Oregon, Washington join lawsuit to block Trump’s mail-in voting order
By Griffin Beach on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – A coalition of states, including Oregon and Washington, joined a lawsuit Friday to block an executive order issued last week by President Trump concerning voter registration and mail-in voting.
The lawsuit alleges the order violates the separation of powers, arguing the U.S. Constitution grants states the primary authority to conduct elections. The states also contend the order “weaponizes” the U.S. Postal Service by directing it to withhold ballots from voters who do not appear on a federally approved list.
“The United States Postal Service has one job: to deliver the mail,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. “President Trump is trying to give it a second one — deciding which Americans get a ballot.”
Attorneys general involved in the suit argue the order forces states to upend established election procedures with several contests on the horizon. Oregon’s primary election is scheduled for May 19, with ballots set for mailing on April 29. Washington’s primary is scheduled for Aug. 4, with ballots being mailed starting July 17.
Umatilla County Elections Supervisor Stephen Craigen previously stated that his office is proceeding as planned for May’s primary unless directed otherwise by Oregon’s Secretary of State.
